15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 4
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 13
If you’re an undergraduate student thinking about medical school, one of the best ways to learn what working in healthcare feels like is by doing a medical internship.
These internships give you a closer look at what doctors, researchers, or public health professionals do day to day. You might help collect data in a lab, observe clinical work, assist with basic patient care, or support ongoing health research projects. You also learn how hospitals or research teams operate and get the chance to work under the guidance of trained professionals.
Internships like these can also strengthen your med school application. Having hands-on experience shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the field and gain real exposure outside the classroom. For many students, online internships are especially useful. They offer flexible schedules, no travel costs, and often have lower or no fees.
With that, here are 15 medical internships for undergraduate students! For other more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.
15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter. Apply now!
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: Can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks; college students and young professionals!
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, fully virtual internship for college students who want hands-on experience with high-growth startups. You can explore industries like tech, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You’ll be matched with a startup based on your interests and work on a real-world project that helps solve a challenge. Throughout the internship, you’ll be supported by a manager and a company coach who act as mentors. You’ll learn how startups operate, build practical skills, and present a final solution at the end of the program.
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. college undergrads with a 3.0+ GPA returning to school after the program. Graduates and most first-years without major science awards are not eligible.
The SMART Program at Baylor College of Medicine is a nine-week summer research experience for undergraduate students interested in biomedicine. You’ll work on a research project in areas like bioengineering, genetics, neuroscience, or infectious diseases, guided by a faculty mentor. You’ll also attend seminars on research methods, career development, and professional skills. By the end, you’ll present your research and leave with experience that prepares you for graduate school or a biomedical career.
Location: Various locations
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,000 – $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 25 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students from all backgrounds. Further requirements may vary with each program.
The Summer Internship Program (SIP) at Johns Hopkins offers undergraduate students a full-time, 10-week research experience in biomedical and public health fields. You’ll work on a research project guided by a faculty mentor and receive training in lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. You’ll also attend seminars on career development, graduate school preparation, and research ethics. Before the program begins, you’ll receive research papers related to your project to help you get started. During the summer, you’ll join discussion groups and networking events that build communication skills and connect you with peers and professionals. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in an oral or poster format.
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors graduating in the Spring who are currently enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university at the time of application, have a minimum 3.3 overall GPA, and are interested in research related to child health and wellness
The CRISP Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a 10-week summer research experience for undergraduate students interested in pediatric research and academic medicine. You’ll join a research team in basic, clinical, translational, or behavioral science and complete an independent project guided by a CHOP faculty mentor. You’ll also attend weekly luncheons focused on mentorship, goal setting, and communication skills, including how to deliver an elevator pitch. Clinical shadowing opportunities are available, and you’ll take part in professional development workshops and networking events. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a poster session.
Location: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $1750 per month, minimum two months ($3500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 undergraduates and 8 medical students
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The Heart, Lung, and Blood (HLB) Summer Research Program at Case Western Reserve University is a 9-week experience where you’ll explore biomedical research in areas like cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematological, and sleep disorders. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor based on your interests and join a research team working on real medical challenges. Each week, you’ll attend seminars that introduce you to current research and new developments in the field. You’ll also take part in social activities and connect with other students in the program. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research in a poster session.
Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30-50
Dates: May 30 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates with a strong background in science who are considering a research career
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an eight-week, lab-based research experience for college students with a strong science background. You’ll be matched with a lab based on your interests and work on a research project in areas like biomedical science. Outside the lab, you’ll join workshops, small group discussions, and weekly faculty seminars that cover topics like science communication, ethics, and career planning. You’ll also take part in social activities like campus mixers and field trips. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a poster session.
Location: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32
Dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The CanSUR Program is a 10-week summer research experience designed to help you explore a career in cancer research. You’ll work in a lab at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, guided by a faculty mentor, and take part in hands-on research that includes developing a project, running experiments, analyzing results, and presenting your findings. The program starts with a weeklong immersion where you’ll attend lectures on cancer biology, current therapies, and research techniques, and tour state-of-the-art facilities.
Throughout the summer, you’ll join weekly enrichment lunches to learn about career paths, graduate school prep, and how to communicate your research. You’ll also attend a career opportunities dinner with MDs, PhDs, and other professionals in the field. Clinical shadowing may be available, and the program ends with the CanSUR Symposium, where you’ll present your research in a poster session.
Location: City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 90 (tentative)
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 16 years old before the start of the program
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy is a 10-week biomedical research program at City of Hope for high school and undergraduate students. You’ll choose your research topic based on your interests and work full-time in a lab alongside professional scientists and physicians. Your mentors will guide you through every step of your project, from planning and experiments to analyzing results and presenting your findings. Each week, you’ll attend seminars and workshops on topics like biomedical ethics, poster design, and science communication. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work at a poster session.
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 - 10
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate rising juniors or seniors enrolled in an accredited college or University who are majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, or related fields and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Chemical Biology Summer Program (ChBSP) is a 10-week research experience for college students interested in chemistry and biomedicine. You’ll work on an independent project in a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rockefeller University, or Weill Cornell, using chemistry to solve biology problems. A faculty mentor will guide you, and you’ll build lab skills while joining journal clubs, workshops, and weekly seminars. You’ll also attend lunches with researchers and other students. At the end, you’ll present your work in a poster session.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30
Dates: June 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed their sophomore or junior year of college and have completed at least one full semester of bench laboratory research.
NYU’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is a 10-week experience where you’ll join a lab at NYU Grossman School of Medicine or NYU Langone Health. You’ll work on a research project in areas like cell biology, immunology, epidemiology, or biomedical imaging, guided by a faculty mentor. Each week, you’ll attend seminars, journal clubs, and lunch sessions with scientists and physicians. You will also take part in social activities with other students. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium and NYU Langone.
Location: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $550 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 7 – 9
Dates: May 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Undergraduates or recent graduates from a four-year college and not yet accepted to medical school. Preference will be given to those who have completed their junior year by the start of the research internship. You must have a GPA of 3.60 or above.
The Clinical Research Internship Program at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is a 12-week experience for pre-med college students. You’ll work on a research project in cardiology, guided by a physician mentor who is also a researcher. You’ll shadow doctors during hospital rounds, observe procedures, and attend case conferences. You can also shadow nurses in the ICU and post-surgical areas, and take part in medical device industry tours and hands-on specimen labs. Each week, you’ll join lunch sessions and career talks with medical professionals. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at a poster session.
Location: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center, or Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 undergraduates (tentative)
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: College undergraduates majoring in any of the sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, or Environmental Science).
This summer research program is for high school and college students who want to explore careers in medicine, public health, or biomedical science. You’ll work in a clinic or lab on a research project that matches your interests, guided by mentors who are physicians or scientists. You’ll learn lab techniques, attend weekly seminars, and build communication skills through presentations and group discussions. You’ll also take part in career prep workshops and social activities with other students. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in a poster session or oral symposium. You may even have the chance to publish your work or present at a scientific conference.
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $5,000
Dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. college sophomores or juniors at four-year institutions with strong science backgrounds, interest in research, and plans for a biomedical PhD or MD-PhD. You must self-identify as underserved, explaining limited research access or socioeconomic disadvantage.
SURP4US is a 10-week summer research program for college students from underserved backgrounds who are interested in biomedical science. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and work on a hands-on research project in a lab at Mount Sinai. The program includes seminars, journal clubs, and professional development workshops to help you prepare for PhD or MD-PhD programs. You’ll also get support with grad school applications, attend social events, and present your research at a final poster session. Housing and a stipend are provided.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 10 weeks from early June to mid-August
Application Deadline: End of January
Eligibility: Undergrads entering their final year in biomedical-related fields with a 2.75+ GPA. Must have 90+ semester hours, including either: (1) 24 science hours with 3 in math and 16 in chemistry or biology, or (2) 6 hours each in chemistry and biology plus 12 in any mix of chem, bio, or med lab tech.
The Summer Lab Science Program at Mayo Clinic is a 10-week experience where you’ll work in a clinical lab alongside Mayo Clinic professionals. You’ll perform supportive tasks like aliquoting, extraction, centrifugation, instrument prep, and administrative work. You may also observe high-complexity testing and learn lab techniques used in real healthcare settings. Throughout the summer, you’ll attend educational sessions to build your knowledge of clinical science. The program starts in early June and ends in mid-August. You’ll receive training, mentorship, and a chance to explore careers in lab medicine.
Location: Virtual or in person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,380 (summer on-campus), $4,380 (summer virtual), or $1,980 (fall intensive)
Dates: July 14 – 25 (summer on-campus), July 28 – August 8 (summer virtual), September 12 – November 10 (fall virtual)
Application Deadline: February 24 (summer) or June 2 (fall)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and undergraduate premedical students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program. Completing a high school biology course before enrolling is strongly recommended.
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship is a two-week program where you’ll explore different medical specialties and build clinical skills. You’ll take part in hands-on activities, simulations, and interactive lectures led by Stanford faculty and medical students. You’ll learn how to respond to emergencies, practice decision-making, and hear from doctors and physician assistants about their careers. You’ll also join dissections, visit clinics, and attend sessions on medical school admissions. The program is offered in both in-person and virtual formats, and ends with a final presentation.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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